Belmont County: Construction Update
Blaine Hill Bridge
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Blaine Hill Arches of Memory Rehabilitation Project will rebuild the historic U.S. Route 40 bridge in Belmont County, Ohio. The project includes enhancements to the structural integrity by replacing the superstructure and maintaining the bridge’s historical character, all to facilitate the bridge’s reopening.
The project was awarded to Beaver Excavating Company from Canton, Ohio, on April 24, 2025. The total construction cost for the project is $17,016,026, which is $1,783,970 less than the original estimated cost.
Construction is underway to rehabilitate the bridge. The bridge is scheduled to reopen by July 1, 2026, and the overall project completion date is October 31, 2026. ODOT will continue to share updates on the project’s progress leading up to the bridge’s reopening and overall project completion date.
Traffic Impacts by Route
The following ODOT construction projects are anticipated to impact traffic in Belmont County. All outlined work is weather permitting. Visit OHGO.com for travel updates or follow ODOT District 11 on Facebook or X for current Belmont County construction information.
Interstate 70 Projects
I-70/State Route 149 interchange improvement: Construction will begin in May on the major interchange project at the I-70 Exit 208 for SR 149/Morristown. During construction, one lane of traffic will be maintained on I-70. Traffic impacts for SR 149 will begin in the fall of 2026. For details about the project and all traffic impacts, visit the project webpage. The completion date is the summer of 2029.
State Route 7 Projects
State Route 7 bridge repair in Dilles Bottom: Work is underway on a project to repair the SR 872 overpass spanning SR 7 in Dilles Bottom. The SR 872 bridge over SR 7 will remain open to traffic throughout construction. One lane of traffic will be maintained in both directions on SR 7 throughout the project.
U.S. Route 40 Projects
Blaine Hill Bridge – U.S. Route 40 closure: U.S. 40 is closed at the Blaine Hill Bridge located west of Bridgeport between CR 10 and CR 214 for a bridge rehabilitation project. The official detour is U.S. 40 east to I-70 west, I-70 west back to U.S. 40, and reverse. The road will reopen in the summer of 2026, with the overall project completion date set for October 31, 2026. For detailed updates about the project, visit the project webpage.
Other State Route Projects
State Route 149 culvert repair: A project to repair a culvert located west of Neffs Bellaire Road. Minimal impacts to traffic will occur during construction. However, flaggers will be utilized as needed throughout the project. The completion date is July 31, 2026.
